the one with who Maya looks like

I have been wanting to do this since Maya was born! Above (L to R) are pictures of Jared at one day old, picture of Maya at 17 days old, and picture of me at 11 days old. Who do you think she looks like? You can vote on the poll to the right to give your opinion. I think that she has my nose, mouth, and cheeks and Jared's eyes. In fairness, you really can't tell from the picture since his eyes are closed ;o)

So, I have to give an update on what has been going on the last few days. Maya and Mommy had a rough few days. When we went to the pediatrician for her two week visit on Monday, Maya had gained hardly any weight. I was VERY upset about this, as I had no idea. She had been nursing fine and had not been fussy at all. The pediatrician referred me to their lactation consultant (actually the one I had talked to on the phone before, but she is now my new best friend :o), and I started working with her. What we now think happened, is that the hospital gave me a nursing shield that was actually meant for a premie baby. Using that did not allow Maya to pull enough milk or stimulate me to produce enough milk, so while she gained the first week, the second week she did not. They put me on a pretty strict feeding and pumping schedule so that we could monitor what she was taking in. This turned my very content and happy baby into a screaming one. She was not able to nurse for as long as she wanted to and she could not be pacified. Between her being so upset and the crazy pumping/feeding schedule, I really wanted to give up and go to formula! BUT, I really, really want to do this, so I am sticking it out. I went back today and she is gaining weight again and I am back up to where I need to be with nursing. I am now allowed to back off on the pumping and just feed her on a regular schedule. I am feeling much more like myself again. Because I was so worried about her and worn out with the new feeding schedule, I had really been a mess. Now, that I feel like we are getting things figured out, I feel so much better! Oh, and top of ALL of the feeding stuff, I had to take my exam today! How much time do you think I have had to study???? I tried to reschedule it for next week, but they wanted me to have all sorts of documentation to get out of it (dr note, letter from me, letter from my instructor). Okay, so I just told you that I have a newborn with feeding issues that I can't be away from for more than 30 min to an hour and I am asking you for an extension, and your response is "sure....but you have to do this and this and this and this"-really????!!!! Well, good news is that I passed the test-I won't share my score but the only thing I had to do was PASS and I did. Yeah me!

I will say that the whole bottle/breast decision is very interesting. People seem to have very strong opinions both ways. I was talking to another Mom in the peds office today and I almost felt a little judged by her for choosing to breastfeed. She said that she tried with her first child, and it was just too hard and not worth it. Which I totally respect, but I also felt like she was kind of saying-you are crazy for doing it. I really believe that everyone has to choose what is right for them and I don't think there is a such thing as the "right way" as much as there is "the right way for me". Yes, it is very important to me to breastfeed, but I don't think that people should look down on others who choose not to. Nor if someone chooses to breastfeed, does that make them crazy for doing so. Just wanted to put that out there! :o) I also will say that no one can prepare you for how difficult nursing can be. I was expecting it to be hard, but it has been even harder than I even expected. We are definitely on the upswing now, and I expect to be able to continue much more easily now :o)

Here is sweet girl in her pack n play. I had to cover her hands because she keeps scratching her face no matter how much I file down her nails!

AND........

Maya taking a nap in her pack n play!!!! Yes, that's right, she is asleep in her pack n play!

Let's hope we see this sweet face just like this tonight in the pack n play. Check twitter tomorrow to see if she slept through the night in it!

Oh, and her paci says "I love Mommy" :o)

We are going to have lots of visitors for Easter weekend, so I should have a really fun post in a few days. Aunt Sam is coming to meet her niece for the very first time tomorrow! And, all the grandparents and aunts will be here for Maya's very first Easter. Fun pictures will be a plenty!! And yes, they will involve an Easter dress and an Easter basket.